Having missed final yr’s Six Nations due to his British and Irish Lions commitments, Eire head coach Andy Farrell has been shortly reminded of the complications which can be half and parcel of getting ready a squad earlier than the championship.
Farrell is, after all, no stranger to squad-related stresses. In 2023, Jamison Gibson-Park and Cian Healy each withdrew injured from the matchday squad simply hours earlier than Eire’s Six Nations opener towards Wales in Cardiff.
Eire gained that sport 34-10 and went on to safe the Grand Slam, however the build-up to subsequent week’s curtain-raiser towards holders France in Paris has felt notably making an attempt.
A number of points at the very least emerged effectively upfront. In early December, Connacht stated it will be “months for certain” earlier than Mack Hansen, a powerful possibility at wing or full-back, returns from a foot damage.
However the issues have continued to mount for Farrell since he named a 37-man squad on 21 January.
With Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy already sidelined, Farrell’s hand at loose-head prop was additional weakened when Jack Boyle withdrew from the squad after sustaining a nasty leg damage in Leinster’s win over Connacht final weekend.
Given Eire’s chastening night towards South Africa’s scrum in November, their absence could also be keenly felt.
Munster flanker Tom Ahern additionally withdrew, with the uncapped Billy Bohan and Cormac Izuchukwu drafted in, however additional issues have emerged after Eire touched down in Portugal for his or her common pre-tournament coaching camp.
Having already admitted that his damage checklist is “bigger than regular”, Farrell has misplaced full-back Hugo Keenan to a fractured thumb.
Keenan’s training-ground damage is a merciless blow for the 29-year-old after having solely returned from the hip drawback that has saved him out since his star flip for the Lions final summer season.
With the fly-half debate ongoing, 15 is now an issue place for Farrell. Jamie Osborne began there towards New Zealand and Japan in November, and whereas he’s within the squad, he has not performed for the reason that win over the Courageous Blossoms.
Ulster’s Jacob Stockdale, Leinster’s Ciaran Frawley and Munster’s Jack Crowley – who can be battling Sam Prendergast and Harry Byrne for the ten shirt – are all choices for Farrell to contemplate.
